Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Bob Dylan

About Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is a song by Bob Dylan. First released on the album Blonde on Blonde in 1966, the song lasts 11 minutes and 22 seconds, and occupied the whole of side four of the double album.


Year:
2010
117 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

With your mercury mouth in the missionary times,
And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes,
And your silver cross, and your voice like chimes,
Oh, do they think could bury you?
With your pockets well protected at last,
And your streetcar visions which you place on the grass,
And your flesh like silk, and your face like glass,
Who could they get to carry you?

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I put them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

With your sheets like metal and your belt like lace,
And your deck of cards missing the jack and the ace,
And your basement clothes and your hollow face,
Who among them can think he could outguess you?
With your silhouette when the sunlight dims
Into your eyes where the moonlight swims,
And your match-book songs and your gypsy hymns,
Who among them would try to impress you?

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I put them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

The kings of Tyrus with their convict list
Are waiting in line for their geranium kiss,
And you wouldn't know it would happen like this,
But who among them really wants just to kiss you?
With your childhood flames on your midnight rug,
And your Spanish manners and your mother's drugs,
And your cowboy mouth and your curfew plugs,
Who among them do you think could resist you?

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

Oh, the farmers and the businessmen, they all did decide
To show you the dead angels that they used to hide.
But why did they pick you to sympathize with their side?
Oh, how could they ever mistake you?
They wished you'd accepted the blame for the farm,
But with the sea at your feet and the phony false alarm,
And with the child of a hoodlum wrapped up in your arms,
How could they ever, ever persuade you?

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

With your sheet-metal memory of Cannery Row,
And your magazine-husband who one day just had to go,
And your gentleness now, which you just can't help but show,
Who among them do you think would employ you?
Now you stand with your thief, you're on his parole
With your holy medallion which your fingertips fold,
And your saintlike face and your ghostlike soul,
Oh, who among them do you think could destroy you?

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

32 fans

Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Album Appearance
"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is the final track on Bob Dylan's 1966 double album, "Blonde on Blonde."
Song Duration
The song is notably long, running at 11 minutes and 22 seconds, taking up the entire fourth side of the vinyl version of the album.
Song Composition
It is said that Dylan repeatedly played the song to the musicians until they could follow and accompany him without the aid of any sheet music or written lyrics.
Tribute to His Wife
Dylan wrote this song as a tribute to his wife Sara Lownds. Her maiden name was Shirley Marlin Noznisky and she had changed her name before meeting Dylan.
Mysterious Lyrics
Like many Dylan songs, the lyrics of "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" can be viewed as surreal and highly poetic, creating vivid and unusual imagery.
Song Analysis
The song is often seen as being divided into thirds, encompassing his wife Sara’s past, present, and future.
Unique Recording
This song was recorded in a single take at 4 a.m. in the early morning hours of February 16, 1966.
Musicians' Adaptation
Due to its length, the musicians adopted a slower, more subdued style of playing to pace themselves throughout the recording.
Fellow Musicians' Appreciation
Renowned artists like Patti Smith and Joan Baez have covered and appreciated the song for its depth and lyrical poise. Smith even titled her version as "Elegie" and Baez covered it on the tribute album to Bob Dylan, "Any Day Now."
Debate on Length
The song's length was seen as controversial at the time, causing some debate among Dylan's record company and producers. However, Dylan insisted on it being included onto the album in its entirety.
Recognition
"Rolling Stone" magazine placed the song at #290 on their list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
Revisit in Lyrics
In Dylan’s 1975 song “Sara,” he refers back to "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands," with a lyric, "Stayin' up for days in the Chelsea Hotel, Writin' 'Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' for you."
Critic's Views
Some critical interpretations say the song is an exploration of Dylan's complex feelings towards his wife, which includes awe, love, and fear.
Song Influence
Its length and style helped pave the way for other longer-form songs in popular music.

Discuss the Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22098236/Bob+Dylan/Sad+Eyed+Lady+of+the+Lowlands>.

    Missing lyrics by Bob Dylan?

    Know any other songs by Bob Dylan? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

    2M
    12,660     399

    more tracks from the album

    The Original Mono Recordings

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me ____________".
    A playing dice
    B in paradise
    C go exercise
    D to sacrifice

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Bob Dylan's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Bob Dylan tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!